distressed 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of distressednext
1
as in troubled

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2
as in depressed

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distressed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of distress
as in alarmed
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy don't let all the bad news distress you

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of distressed
Adjective
A couple of passing witches in distressed fish-nets aww-ed at the sight of the dog begging for the second half of his cone. — Téa Obreht, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026 The Nobody Wants This star wore an oversized black blazer over a loose white crewneck T-shirt, tucked into wide-leg, distressed jeans for a polished, everyday style. — Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
Changes To Leaves Or Bark Yellow, browning, or dropping leaves outside of the fall season can mean a tree is distressed from drought, pests, disease, or lack of nutrients. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2026 Jeffrey Tam, a lawyer for nine residents of the Wang Fuk Court, noted some residents decided to give evidence despite being distressed by the tragedy. — ABC News, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for distressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distressed
  1. troubled
  2. depressed
  3. alarmed
  4. agitated
  5. reduced
  6. disturbed
  7. ruined
  8. distracted
Adjective
  • His arrival will force Violette to confront hidden truths of her troubled past filled with hidden truths.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026
  • But when their increasingly dangerous scheme becomes a plan to escape their troubled families, the stakes spiral beyond their control.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of troubled
Adjective
  • Defense attorney Kimberly Stevens painted Birchmore as a depressed young woman battling lifelong adversities who constructed a fantasy world around marrying Farwell.
    — Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 6 Nov. 2026
  • In Splintered Harmony, Azriel is depressed as hell — is there not a doctor in Velaris to get this guy a Zoloft prescription?
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of depressed
Verb
  • That move sparked enormous street protests in Israel, and alarmed many Israeli citizens overseas.
    — Daniel Brook, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The new company has nearly $80 billion in debt, with leverage of six-and-a-half times trailing earnings, a ratio that has alarmed investors and triggered credit rating downgrades.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of alarmed
Adjective
  • Caregivers for dementia patients, whether family members at home or employees in an institution, can face daily challenges from residents who may be uncooperative or agitated, but advocates emphasize that caregivers must stay patient and respectful.
    — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Yoko said her daughter simply tried to prevent an agitated resident from biting others by putting her hand around the person’s chin.
    — Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of agitated
Adjective
  • The house arrest applies only to his reduced six-year sentence in the first trial.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • It’s found to result in improved coping, increased mental clarity, better emotion regulation, reduced depression, and ironically less loneliness.
    — Cheryl Fenton, Flow Space, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of reduced
Verb
  • The calm was disturbed when a barramundi caught Maurice’s line.
    — David Chiu, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2026
  • According to Filter, at some point the grave markers were disturbed.
    — Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of disturbed
Adjective
  • Sitting on the rim of his consciousness was always cataclysm, the muted whisper of a ruined world.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Definition of ruined
Verb
  • Now, pressed to maintain its influence in Pyongyang amid a growing Russian–North Korean security relationship—and with the rest of the world distracted by other geopolitical crises—China has gone silent on the issue.
    — Stephen E. Biegun, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Investigators do not believe Hackett was distracted, impaired or speeding.
    — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of distracted

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Cite this Entry

“Distressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distressed. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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